Williams Twp. Approves Plans For Bougher Hill

A proposed subdivision that had caused concern in Riegelsville over the possible effect on the borough's water supply was approved on a 3-0 vote last night by the Williams Township supervisors.

The 19-lot subdivision, called Bougher Hill Estates, will be just north of the township border with Durham Township, Bucks County, and is about 1,000 feet from the Riegelsville reservoir.

Plans to subdivide the 32-acre tract owned by W. Stewart Connard of Takoma Park, Md., were first submitted last September. They were approved by the township Planning Commission in April.

The supervisors had planned to act on the proposal last month, but waited for the Department of Environmental Resources (DER) to review the site plan. Although the township last night still had not received written notification of the results of the review, Joseph Fretz, secretary-treas urer of the supervisors, said DER told him by phone that the plan had been approved.

The supervisors also were shown a DER memorandum obtained by Riegelsville Borough, dated June 9 and authored by hydrogeologist Stephen Baggett, concerning a May 2 on-site inspection and later review of the plans.

Baggett wrote that given the results of percolation tests, projected loads on the sewage and water drainage systems, and the way dilution would occur in the ground, a further study "should show no or very limited (effect) on the groundwater quality at the borough's water supply location. Therefore, no additional study is recommended."

The inspections by DER did not satisfy Dr. Charles Konia, a Williams Township resident who lives near the proposed subdivision.

He said, "I think DER is just sloughing it off." Calling Baggett's visit to the site a "cursory study," he said the agency "didn't do what it is supposed to do."

Konia said DER mentioned nothing about a geological fault he claims exists in the area, which he said could have an effect on water quality.

Konia's attorney, Philip M. Hof of Easton, advocated a full hydrogeological study, and later said an appeal to Northampton County Court would be considered if the study is not done. "Whatever the odds" against contamination, he said, "the consequences are so severe and irreversible if it is not done. We feel now is the time to do it."

On another matter, Fretz said re-construction plans for Line Street - on the border with the City of Easton - apparently had been changed and storm sewers the township thought were going to be installed might not be.

The supervisors voted to arrange a meeting with Easton officials to discuss the project.

Fretz, after hearing from zoning officer Roger Dreisbach-Williams, also said the township would review the amount it charges for various permits.

Citing higher charges in other area municipalities, Fretz said, "We're entirely out of line on our permit fees."